Eikon basilike [in Greek]. The pourtraicture of His Sacred Majesty in his solitudes and sufferings [Madan 66]

London: Printed by R. Norton for Richard Royston Bookseller to His most Sacred Majesty [from 1649], 1681. Morocco. Fine. Later seventeenth-century edition of this purported spiritual autobiography attributed to King Charles I of England. Crown 8vo (181 x 101mm): [16],256pp, with frontispiece engraved by William Marshall (Madan 47) and full-page portrait of Charles II facing Chapter XXVII. Beautifully bound to period style by Fitterer in black morocco, spine in six compartments divided by raised bands ruled in blind, covers paneled in gilt with curlicue corner devices, burgundy red leather lettering piece gilt, end papers renewed. An exceptional copy, tightly bound and clean throughout with crisp impressions of the plates. Madan 66. Almack 62. ESTC R204383. Wing E311A. Originally attributed to Charles I, but, according to Madan, composed by John Gauden, Bishop of Worcester, who probably included some authentic writings of the King and may even have collaborated with him. The first edition was in print on the day of Charles I's execution, on 30 January 1649, followed by many editions, with various erroneous dates and publishing details. The Eikon reviews the course of the civil wars from the calling of the Long Parliament in 1640 to Charles's imprisonment at Carisbrooke Castle in 1647, and defends the King's policies. It is part political memoir and part spiritual autobiography, presenting Charles as the defender of both Church and State. Written in a moving, straightforward style in diary form, the Eikon combines irenic prayers urging forgiveness of Charles's executioners with a justification of royalism. The poem "Majesty in Misery," said to have been written by the King at Carisbrooke, first appeared in the 1676 edition of Perinchief's Life of King Charles, but this is the first edition of the Eikon in which it was printed. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).